Thursday 22 November 2012

Step Out of That Comfort Zone...

...yikes! I don't know about you but... I do have a little comfort zone (ok, more of a big one) around me.  I know what I like, I like what I know and all that.  So. There I was, demo-ing away the other Sunday at Birds in the Barn, playing with all things Xmassy and of course, because I do have said comfort zone, all things Xmassy were indeedily, red and green. Then a lovely lady says "can you do something in turquoise for me please?"    Ahahaaaa, erm... of course *gulp* I can, I says.  I then went and had a little fit of the vapours whilst I panicked about doing all things Xmassy and...erm... turquoise!  But, not to be beaten by a little thing such as doing the wrong colours for Xmas, I took the holly by the horns and cracked on.  And... I hate to admit this... I rather enjoyed doing something turquoise... and I faffed and fiddled ... until I realised that actually, my tag had no resemblance to Xmas at all... At all indeed Never mind, I shall try again, I says to meself....



And I came up with this matchbook.  Tis one of those cut from the Alterations Matchbook die... I haven't got the die but Janet had kindly diecut some for me to play with.  And a lovely lady who was sitting yakking with me says... "can you use bright pink and purple please?"   Ahahaaaaa, erm... of course *double gulp* I can, I says.  So out came the Dylusions Sprays... I happen to be in lurves with them anyways which always makes it easier to use... still... bright colours!   Yikes!!!   And off I went, making something... erm... Xmassy from bright pink and purple... ok, so there's very little resemblance to anything Xmassy on this little creation... check out Jo Firth-Young's TOTESAMAZEBALLS new stamp designs though, the baubles (lurking at the top) and the writing... I loves them all...and wanted to buy some to come and live in the Room of Stash but... there were none left!  I shall be scouring yonder internet looking for them later btw.   Anyways... adding a big old blousey rose made this look even less Xmassy... well, the thought was there, it just got lost in translation!





Anyways... I was sitting there and I thinks, "I am not letting this get to me, I shall make something Xmassy right now, using bright colours...."  And I made this!  I know, not a smidge of bright about it... I have come to the conclusion that me and bright just don't mix... and me and bright and all things Xmassy really don't mix.... see, stepping out of your comfort zone ain't all it's cracked up to be you know... really... it isn't... ahem!




Right, I shall away... I have just one last thing to share... if you haven't seen already of Facebook... I had a smidge of a mishap yesterday afternoon.  Well, I have been known to do things a bit...erm... wrong... but this one took the biscuit.  I was using Sail Boat Blue Colorwash Spray... and I couldn't get the blighter to spray.  I was pressing and pressing and pressing and nothing, not even a smidge.  So, I thinks, look and see if there's any air coming out of the spray... knocking said spray thingy onto the desk to loosen it a bit, I turned the nozzle to face me and pressed... and ended up with a full on Braveheart make-over.  Quite!  It has more or less washed off my chops but...erm... the fringe?  Well, I think blue is my colour... it will not budge!   So the motto of today's post is... when you step out of your comfort zone, be sure to remember to bring your common sense back with you when you step back inside it!  


 
With that... I shall say... thanks for looking... TTFN!

Hels x

32 comments:

Helen said...

I love to do non traditional colours for Christmas, depending on the stamps I use!! Hope you remove the blue soon.... tried the scrubbie?!
Gorgeous makes btw.

Julia Dunnit said...

I love your brights. And they work for Christmas for me...a turquoise sharp winter sky, urple is ecclesiastical after all. Your comfort zone may be fab, but it looks like you're taking the outside the box part by storm too! Although the face squirty thing...

Julia Dunnit said...

Ok, so I'm using my phone and it's too tiny for my eyes and fat fingers. I think urple might be the new purple!!

Kathryn said...

Hello smurfy one tee hee x fabby makes, I love colour but always end up with brown stuff ha ha xx

rachel said...

fab ,makeover Hels! Oh you are a one! Great maeks though - despite being out of your comfort zone xx

Marleine said...


Oh! Hels you do make me laugh. (Thank you)

I love the tags be they Christmassy or not, they're gorgeous. X

Kaz Hall said...

Here hee I did it with black ink!! Gorgeous makes Hels love the purple fabulous xx

Kaz

My name is Cindy said...

Oh Hels I am sitting here feeling very sorry for myself with a stinking cold and endless cough and you have really made me smile!! I'm also a bit worried as I am doing my first ever demoing on Sunday at a local store - I'm sorry, they will just have to stay with the programme, I don't think I can cope with going off script!! I think you did really well under pressure, I lpve them all(but no less than I would expect). I have to say though that my favourite Christmas sample I've made so far is a pink Christmas tag - go figure!!Hope the blue has come off by now.....

ria gall said...

Hi Hels
You have made one unhappy (full of a cold) person find themself laughing out loud.
I think we can all admit to having comfort zones but not all admit to turning ourselves into Smurfs.
Ria

Aquarius said...

Three great items but I do really favour the final one - bright colours are OK in their place but not so sure about the braveheart look!! Hope the fringe soon grows out too.

Rita said...

Gorgeous Tag Hels, and I love the flower too. Och aye the Noo, I heard you say. You do suit blue though. Huggles for making me smile on a drab and dreary day. Rita xxx

Elaine said...

Great art regardless of the colours - love the birdie! I don't seem to be able to do vintage christmas!! Guess you either spray blue on the other side of your fringe or go get a haircut :-)

Alison Horne said...

You turned it TOWARDS you and WHAT???? Never mind Hels, "blue is beautiful, blue is best, I'm beautifil, I'm best"{Dougal and the blue cat}.
Hopefully Alfie didn't get the full makeover too.
Birdy tag particularly brill. xxx

Sue said...

Blue face priceless........

Know what you mean outside your comfort zone. BUT check out my last post and you will see it can be done, pink and blue Christmas cards.

See you at the weekend YIPHEE

http://taitucker.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/dylusional-christmas-cards.html

Joanne said...

Oh darn, I need some more Tenna Ladies. What a hoot you are. Did you know that Tim actually did that yonks ago and that's one reason he always stresses to make sure you point the nozzle to the card.... I've seen you do 'blousey' so have another go, just for us.
Mwah x

Carole Z said...

OOPS! Hope it comes off soon...love your makes..all of them! Carole Z X

Anonymous said...

Hi Hels. Looks like you're setting a.new fashion with your blue fringe.
I love the tags whatever the colours.

Val in Spain xxx

Inkypinkycraft said...

Oh blimey! That's one blue do!!! I am afraid I am well and truly back in makingbthings in my comfort zone atvthe mo...makes me happy...hopebyou get the blue out soon! Trace. X

Karen Petitt said...

what a gorgeous shade of blue lol. just showed my DH and it's something I've done to myself before but you do make me laughs Hels xx

EmmaT said...

Hi Hels, well i very rarely use green and red at christmas, this year i have some very vintage craft ones through to turquoise and chocolate and every colour inbetween. Im the same in all my projects depending on my mood as to what colour or style i do.
Stepping out of our comfort zone means we learn new techniques even if we dont like the outcome.
I once died my hair blue for charity, never thought of using colour wash - how about cosmic shimmer mists next time:)
Emma

Carol Plume said...

Omsk at your blue fringe lol x but how lucky we're you it didn't go in your eyes!

Gorgeous pieces xx

Words and Pictures said...

They may not be Christmassy but they're gorgeous! With my vintage leanings, the last one is my out and out favourite - just fabulous! Blue is the best colour, so I think you look very fetching!!
Alison x

Kyla said...

I am a big fan of non traditional Christmas and love your colour combo.

The smurf look though? Yep, you can carry it off!!!

kyla

SamsHomeCookedDesigns.com said...

Oh Thank you I do like a bit of a sense of humour in a blog! I think the first one does look xmassy though, the second one could have if you stamped Happy xmas on the flower? and the ornament in blue at the end? well you were lucky you have good blinking reflexes!!! Sam

Mrs Beez said...

What a lovely post - you write so well. Maybe you need to change your blog title now to Ink on My Face?!!! I don't feel so bad now about having Dylusion fingers when about to do cooking dems! Just love all three projects.

Lynne Gilbert said...

Oh Hels! The new style make up is amazing! Trust you to start a new trend. We'll all be wandering around looking like smurfetts!!!!! Love blue for Christmas! Tend to agree with you- trad green and red, can't beat it! Mind you love your non trad tags too. They're all luvely! xxx

Gerrina said...

Well hate to say it, but blue is totally your colour....!
I Try to step out of my comfortzone so many times and most of the times like the result. I stept way out of my comfortzone with these one:http://gerrinascreatievewereld.blogspot.nl/2012/11/metalen-kerst-metal-christmas.html It's too CAS for my style, but I have been able to stop myself from putting anything else on it...(altough I'have moved the card from my desk in order to keep it that way!)
Hugs, Gerrina

Redanne said...

Hi Hels, some people pay a lot of money to have their hair bluey blonde! Just do the other side or you could always call it your 'Mallen streak'.....your makes are all gorgeous but I think trad colours are the best, love the vintage one at the end, tis gorgeous. It is good to step out of your comfort zone ad well done you for taking requests and getting on with it!! Hugs, Anne x

Anonymous said...

You made me chuckle (and then I saw your mention of Cheesy Chester Cheeto's - haven't had those in particular, but any 'cheesy puffs' are fab!). Those 'non-traditional' makes are not Xmassy - but they are gorgeous. Blue spray. That is the sort of thing I would do. Note to self - do not do it!! Ali x

Christine said...

Thanks for a really good laugh, Hels! I was so loud that I woke my husband up. I will probably be in hot water tomorrow, but it was worth it!!! Please keep on inspiring me with your lovely work and keep me laughing. Thanks a lot!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Great Smurfs Braveheart!!! Bahahahaha!!! I just love you! I've done the same thing with Post Box Red but not as intense...lol! My belly is hurting!
These are all great makes...love the match book, and if these are out of your comfort zone it doesn't show!!!

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